The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Friday night, Jan. 7, that it has filed criminal cases against another returning overseas Filipino (ROF) who allegedly skipped mandatory hotel quarantine.
Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos, PNP Chief, identified the alleged violator as Maria Bernalyn Munoz, who faces violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.
According to police investigation, Munoz arrived in the country on Dec. 22, 2021 from the United States and was supposed to undergo hotel quarantine at Seda Hotel in Makati City.
But instead of taking her arranged shuttle ride to the assigned quarantine hotel, Munoz rode a taxi and went straight to her condominium unit in BGC, Taguig City.
“Munoz failed to show up or report at the said quarantine facility,” Carlos said.
Munoz then stayed in her condo unit from Dec. 22, 2021 to Jan. 4, 2022 but did not subject herself to quarantine protocols, Carlos said.
Munoz allegedly availed of a home massage service and left her condo unit “on several occasions” including during the New Year’s Eve revelry, the PNP Chief added.
Carlos said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) received a report about Munoz' case on Jan. 4 which prompted law enforcers to conduct an immediate investigation.
Two days later or on Jan. 6, the CIDG filed the case against Munoz, particularly for violation of Sections 9 (d) and 9 (e) of RA 11332.
Section 9 (d) refers to “non-cooperation of persons and entities that should report and/or respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern” while Section 9 (e) refers to “non-cooperation of the persons or entities identified as having the notifiable disease, or affected by the health event of public concern.”
Meanwhile, Muñoz tested negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Police Col. Rhoderick Alba, PNP spokesperson.
Munoz’ case followed a similar breach in health protocols involving Gwyneth Anne Chua, also known as “Poblacion Girl,” who skipped her hotel quarantine after returning from US last month, partied with her friends in Poblacion, Makati City, and later tested positive for COVID-19 while infecting several party-goers.
The CIDG also filed charges against Chua and six other individuals, including her mother and father who fetched her, and some staff of Berjaya Makati Hotel where she was supposed to undergo quarantine.